Studienkopf eines bärtigen Arbeiters mit Schirmmütze, 1855

CommentaryAdolph Menzel – the artist was ennobled in 1898 – was a careful observer of the social and technical changes of his age. Without reservations, he made nearly the entire range of aspects of 19th century life subjects of his work, courtly balls and horse-drawn coaches as well as public gatherings and steam engines. Often Menzel made first sketches of objects, people and scenes he noticed either immediately or just after, which he then developed later in his studio, using them as the basis for his paintings; of the sketchbooks used for this purpose, nearly seventy survive today. Menzel was able to translate an impression of directness and spontaneity which pencil and paper provide into his painting. The profile of the man's head shown in close-up leans almost imperceptibly into the image, giving viewers the perspective of an unnoticed observer. A diffuse background and the dark color of the clothing lend the light flesh-tones of the face and the gray-white hair a physical presence in which this man’s inner sensitivity appears detached from the portrait-like similarity.